How Much Do Airline Pilots Make in 2026? Complete Salary & Career Path Guide.
Discover what airline pilots make in 2026. Learn about Delta, American, and United pilot salaries, recent pay increases, and how to start your pilot career with flight training.
If you're searching "how much do pilots make" or considering pilot training, you've come to the right place. Airline pilot salaries have reached historic highs in 2025, and they're projected to climb even higher. Whether you're researching how to become a pilot or exploring flight school options, understanding pilot compensation is crucial to your career decision.
At Vertical Vision Flight Academy in Des Moines, Iowa, we help aspiring aviators understand not just how to fly, but how to build a financially rewarding airline pilot career. Let's explore current pilot salary data from major carriers and what the future holds for commercial pilot compensation.
What Is the Average Airline Pilot Salary in 2026?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $226,600 in May 2024. The highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200, while entry-level positions start around $98,560.
These figures represent a significant increase from previous years. The median airline pilot salary rose approximately 3% from 2023 to 2024, reflecting the industry's strong demand for qualified pilots—making now an ideal time to start flight training.
How Does Airline Pilot Pay Work?
Understanding pilot compensation is essential when planning your aviation career. Unlike traditional salaried positions, airline pilots earn an hourly wage multiplied by credited flight hours. Most pilots average between 70 and 85 flight hours per month, though duty time extends longer.
This hourly structure, combined with guaranteed monthly minimums, international flight premiums, profit-sharing programs, and per diem allowances, creates total pilot income packages that often significantly exceed base salary figures.
Pilot Job Outlook: Strong Demand for Flight School Graduates
The BLS projects airline pilot employment will grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034. About 18,200 pilot job openings are projected annually over the decade. Many openings result from pilots reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, creating continuous opportunities for flight school graduates and those completing pilot training programs.
Delta Air Lines Pilot Salary: Industry-Leading Compensation
Delta Air Lines established itself as the industry leader when its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), ratified a groundbreaking contract in March 2023. This contract became the benchmark for major airline pilot salaries.
Delta Pilot Contract: Historic Pay Raises
Delta's pilots approved their contract by a 78% margin, securing one of the most lucrative agreements in commercial aviation:
Immediate 18% pay increase upon signing
5% raise in 2024
4% raise in 2025
4% raise in 2026
Total cumulative increase: 34% over four years
What Do Delta Pilots Earn?
According to Airline Pilot Central, Delta's Pilot Working Agreement is amendable December 31, 2026. First Officers begin with competitive entry-level pilot pay that increases substantially with experience and aircraft transitions. Captains at Delta, particularly those flying wide-body international aircraft, command some of the highest airline pilot salaries in the industry.
Delta's comprehensive compensation includes travel benefits, international allowances, health coverage, and substantial retirement contributions, all factors aspiring pilots should consider when choosing flight training.
American Airlines Pilot Salary: Competitive Industry Wages
American Airlines pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), ratified their new contract in August 2023 with 72.7% approval.
A testament to the agreement's value for professional pilots.
American Airlines Pilot Contract Details
The four-year agreement delivers more than $9 billion in compensation and quality-of-life benefits to American's 15,000 pilots.
American Airlines pilot pay increases include:
Immediate pay raise averaging more than 21% upon ratification
Additional 5% raise in 2024
4% raise in 2025
4% raise in 2026
3% raise in 2027
Combined with 401(k) increases: more than 46% total increase
The Allied Pilots Association agreement includes approximately $1.1 billion in immediate, one-time payments and ratification bonuses, plus annual pay rate increases and enhanced benefits—demonstrating the financial potential of completing pilot training and advancing through an airline career path.
Snap-Up Provisions for Competitive Pilot Salaries
The American contract includes "snap-up" provisions that automatically adjust pay rates to match competitors, ensuring American pilots remain competitively compensated, which is important context for those researching which airlines pay pilots the most.
United Airlines Pilot Salary: Top-Tier Aviation Compensation
United Airlines pilots, also represented by ALPA, approved their new contract in September 2023, securing approximately $10 billion over the agreement's life.
United Airlines Pilot Contract Highlights
According to the ALPA press release, the agreement includes industry-leading pay raises, quality-of-work-life improvements, and enhanced retirement benefits for United's 16,000 pilots.
United pilot pay structure includes:
Immediate pay increase ranging from 13.8% to 18.7% by aircraft type
Additional 5% raise in 2024
4% raise in 2025
4% raise in 2026
3% raise in 2027
Total increase: up to 40% over four years
United Pilot Benefits Beyond Base Salary
United's contract includes enhanced retirement contributions and profit-sharing provisions. The agreement provides substantial improvements to compensation, job security, work rules, retirement, and benefits, all benefits accessible to graduates of quality flight training programs.
The contract is effective September 29, 2023, and becomes amendable September 30, 2027.
Why Airline Pilot Salaries Are Rising: Understanding the Pilot Shortage
The dramatic increases in airline pilot salaries haven't happened by accident. Several factors have created unprecedented leverage for pilots in contract negotiations and unprecedented opportunities for those starting flight school.
The Commercial Pilot Shortage
The aviation industry faces a significant pilot shortage that has fundamentally changed compensation dynamics. The BLS notes that most job openings will come from replacing pilots who retire or leave the profession, creating continuous demand for newly trained pilots.
This shortage makes professional pilot training one of the most strategic career investments you can make in 2025-2026.
Record Pilot Contract Negotiations
Delta set the stage for industry-wide pay increases with their 34% raise over four years in March 2023. This precedent-setting agreement prompted American and United to negotiate similar terms to compete for qualified pilots.
As American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated upon ratification of the American contract: "This agreement will help American immediately expand our pilot training capacity to support underutilized aircraft and future flying and provide our pilots with more opportunities to progress in their careers."
Future Pilot Salary Projections: What to Expect Through 2027
The outlook for pilot compensation remains exceptionally strong through the end of the decade and beyond, excellent news for those considering flight training today.
Guaranteed Near-Term Salary Increases (2026-2027)
The existing contracts at all three major carriers include built-in annual raises continuing through 2027. These are contractually guaranteed increases that don't depend on future negotiations.
Contract amendable dates are approaching:
Delta: Amendable December 31, 2026
United: Amendable September 30, 2027
American: Amendable August 1, 2027
These dates mean pilots will soon enter new negotiation rounds, likely resulting in further compensation increases given the continued strong pilot demand.
Long-Term Airline Pilot Career Earnings
The financial rewards of an airline pilot career extend well beyond starting salaries. Consider the typical pilot career path:
Years 1-5: Building seniority, gaining experience, and establishing yourself within the airline
Years 5-10: Potential upgrade to Captain, significant salary increases, improved schedule control
Years 10-20: Senior Captain positions on wide-body international routes, peak earning years
Years 20-30: Maintaining top-tier compensation until retirement at age 65
Over a full career spanning 25-30 years, pilots at major carriers can expect to earn several million dollars in total compensation, making the upfront investment in flight school highly worthwhile.
Aviation Industry Growth Projections
The BLS projects steady employment growth through 2034, with about 18,200 pilot job openings annually. This sustained demand means strong job security for trained pilots, continued upward pressure on pilot salaries, excellent return on investment for flight training, and multiple career opportunities throughout your aviation career.
Total Pilot Compensation: Beyond Base Salary
When evaluating airline pilot careers, consider the full compensation package beyond hourly pay rates.
Pilot Profit Sharing and Bonuses
Major airlines offer annual profit-sharing programs. Delta's contract includes enhanced profit-sharing provisions that pilots at other carriers negotiated to match. United's contract specifically aligns their profit-sharing formula with Delta's model, adding thousands to annual pilot income.
Airline Pilot Retirement Benefits
All three major carriers provide substantial retirement benefits. United's contract includes increased retirement contributions representing significant long-term value, an important consideration when comparing aviation careers to other professions.
Pilot Travel Benefits and Perks
Pilots and their families enjoy free or heavily discounted travel privileges on their own airline and partner carriers worldwide. These pilot benefits provide substantial value for those who enjoy exploring new destinations, a unique perk rarely found in other six-figure careers.
Quality of Life for Professional Pilots
Recent contracts have focused not just on pay, but on schedule flexibility, days off, and work-life balance. The APA noted that American's contract includes "work-rule changes intended to help ensure more reliable service for passengers and more predictable schedules for pilots"—showing that pilot careers offer both financial rewards and lifestyle benefits.
How to Become an Airline Pilot: Your Flight Training Path
The exceptional airline pilot salaries and benefits described above are attainable for anyone willing to invest in professional pilot training. At Vertical Vision Flight Academy in Des Moines, Iowa, we provide the comprehensive training you need to launch your aviation career.
The Flight Training Investment That Pays Off
While pilot school requires an upfront investment, the return is substantial. With median annual wages exceeding $226,000 at major airlines according to the BLS, most pilots recoup their flight training costs within just a few years of airline employment.
Consider the return on investment: If you invest $80,000-100,000 in flight training and earn $226,000+ annually as an airline pilot, you'll recover your investment in less than two years of employment, then enjoy 25+ more years of six-figure earnings.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Start Pilot Training
Several factors make 2025-2026 the ideal time to begin your aviation career:
Record-high starting salaries at regional and major airlines
Guaranteed pay increases locked in through existing union contracts through 2027
Strong employment growth with 18,200+ annual pilot job openings projected through 2034
Improved work rules and quality of life from recent contracts
Long-term career security with continuous demand for qualified pilots
Pilot shortage is creating accelerated hiring and career advancement
The BLS projects approximately 18,200 pilot job openings each year through 2034, creating unprecedented opportunities for flight school graduates entering the field now.
Vertical Vision Flight Academy: Your Path to a Six-Figure Pilot Career
Whether you're just starting to explore how to become a pilot or ready to commit to professional pilot training, Vertical Vision Flight Academy offers programs designed to take you from zero flight experience to airline ready pilot.
Our Comprehensive Flight Training Program
Our pilot training prepares you for every step of your airline career path:
Private Pilot License – Your foundation for all future pilot training
Instrument Rating – Essential skills for professional flying in all weather conditions
Commercial Pilot License – Your qualification to fly for compensation
Multi-Engine Rating – Required for most airline pilot positions
Certified Flight Instructor Certifications – Build the 1,500 hours required while earning income
Why Choose Vertical Vision Flight Academy?
We don't just teach you to fly—we prepare you for a lucrative airline pilot career with airlines offering some of the best compensation packages in any profession. Our flight training program in Des Moines, Iowa, provides:
Experienced flight instructors with airline pilot backgrounds
Modern training aircraft are maintained to the highest standards
Flexible scheduling to accommodate working professionals
Career guidance throughout your pilot training journey
Clear pathway to building the flight hours needed for airline careers
Frequently Asked Questions About Pilot Salaries and Flight Training
How much do pilots make starting out?
According to the BLS, entry-level airline pilot salaries start around $98,560 annually at regional airlines, with rapid increases as you gain experience and move to major carriers.
How long does it take to become an airline pilot?
Most students complete flight training from zero experience to a Commercial Pilot License in 12-24 months. You'll then need to build 1,500 total flight hours (typically 2-3 years as a flight instructor) to qualify for airline pilot positions.
What is the highest-paying airline for pilots?
Delta, American, and United all offer competitive top-tier pilot salaries, with Captains earning $400,000-600,000+ annually, including profit sharing and benefits.
Is there really a pilot shortage?
Yes. The BLS projects 18,200 annual pilot job openings through 2034, with most positions created by retiring pilots. This pilot shortage has driven historic salary increases and created excellent opportunities for new pilots.
How much does flight training cost?
Professional pilot training typically costs $80,000-$100,000 from zero experience through Certified Flight Instructor. Contact Vertical Vision Flight Academy for detailed program pricing and financing options.
Can I finance my flight training?
Yes! Multiple financing options exist for pilot training, including federal student loans (if applicable), private aviation loans, and payment plans. We can help you explore financing options to make your aviation career affordable.
Start Your High-Paying Pilot Career Today
Airline pilot salaries have reached unprecedented levels, with the median wage at $226,600 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and contractually guaranteed increases continuing through 2027 at all major carriers. The combination of strong employment projections with 18,200+ annual openings, historic union contracts with built-in raises, robust aviation industry growth, and an ongoing pilot shortage creating career acceleration makes this the ideal time to start flight training and pursue an airline pilot career.
The pilots earning these exceptional six-figure salaries started exactly where you are now, researching how to become a pilot and considering a flight school. The difference is that they took the first step.
Take the First Step Toward Your Airline Pilot Career
Ready to begin your journey to a six-figure airline career? Contact Vertical Vision Flight Academy in Des Moines, Iowa, today to:
Schedule a discovery flight
Tour our facilities and meet our instructors
Learn about our flight training programs
Discuss financing options
Get answers to all your pilot career questions
Your future as a highly-compensated airline pilot starts with a single discovery flight.
Vertical Vision Flight Academy – Des Moines, Iowa